A collage by Picasso

More burlesque....

Playing cards

Bought these Victorian playing cards on ebay,
they're so lovely. I don't think I'll ever play with them, I just like to have them.

Frida Kahlo

Frida Kahlo is one of my all time heros, she's so cool. Even with a bit of a mono-brow and a mustache (which she was sure to include in her self-portraits) shes still a fox. She wasn't afraid to express herself, from her political views to her sexuality, and through to the pain and suffering she endured through illness and reconstructive surgery after that horrible tram accident. She channeled all of this pain into her painting, though I have to say I'm not so fussed about her work, I like it, but she's way more interesting. 

  

Website

My website is still off line, sorry, its all been down to a very busy summer and the fact that I have been designing and building the site from scratch, so its taking alot longer. I had some help originally from a friend, which was great, but long term I knew I was going to find it frustrating, having to wait for someone else to make little changes for me each time. I can be very impatient, but this way it means I can put up what I want when I want, which suits me very well, and its cheaper.

Though in addition to being busy generally, I am also working on new stuff, so I'm waiting for that to come together, to then get it photographed, to then get it online.

My work is currently available from:

Concrete Wardrobe, 50a Broughton St, in edinburgh, 

and online at www.velvetboutique.com 

I recently bought this vintage kimono silk fabric, it was made up into a kimono originally, then deconstructed to be sold on. To make certain types of Kimonos the fabric is pleated and stitched in one length, so the fabric is never cut, and they are hand stitched, so are really easy to unpick. I bought a few other Kimono jackets also, one of which I've already hacked to pieces.

This is a detail image of an amazing Victorian screen, the design work is all hand embroidered with gold thread, and is worked into black silk. Yum

I'm gunna have a shot at something similar.

Mice and Toiles

I bought this amazing 18th Century Toile at an antique market a few weeks ago - its all patched up using different miss match pieces and is covered with holes and stains, but I totally love it. Toiles are pretty hard to find, so I was over the moon.

This little fella had made his way into my flat a week or so ago - before setting him loose, I got a few pictures. I am a big fan of Robert Thompson, the furniture maker who used to carve a mouse into each of his pieces. I remember coming across his work for the first time in York, when I was about 12 or 13 - there is a building close to york minster its main doors were made by Robert Thompson.